New 'nice' array_merge function that doesn't overwrite array values

functions/global.php

@@ -83,6 +83,62 @@ function sqstripslashes(&$array) {
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Merges two variables into a single array
+ *
+ * Similar to PHP array_merge function, but provides same
+ * functionality as array_merge without losing array values
+ * with same key names.  If the values under identical array
+ * keys are both strings and $concat_strings is TRUE, those
+ * values are concatenated together, otherwise they are placed
+ * in a sub-array and are merged (recursively) in the same manner.  
+ *
+ * If either of the elements being merged is not an array,
+ * it will simply be added to the returned array.
+ * 
+ * If both values are strings and $concat_strings is TRUE,
+ * a concatenated string is returned instead of an array.
+ * 
+ * @param mixed   $a              First element to be merged
+ * @param mixed   $b              Second element to be merged
+ * @param boolean $concat_strings Whether or not string values 
+ *                                should be concatenated instead 
+ *                                of added to different array 
+ *                                keys (default TRUE)
+ *
+ * @return array The merged $a and $b in one array
+ *
+ */
+function sq_array_merge($a, $b, $concat_strings=true) {
+
+    $ret = array();
+
+    if (is_array($a)) {
+        $ret = $a;
+    } else {
+        if (is_string($a) && is_string($b) && $concat_strings) {
+            return $a . $b;
+        }
+        $ret[] = $a;
+    }
+
+
+    if (is_array($b)) {
+        foreach ($b as $key => $value) {
+            if (isset($ret[$key])) {
+                $ret[$key] = sq_array_merge($ret[$key], $value, $concat_strings);
+            } else {
+                $ret[$key] = $value;
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        $ret[] = $b;
+    }
+
+    return $ret;
+
+}
+
 /**
  * Add a variable to the session.
  * @param mixed $var the variable to register